The vulnerability of family caregivers in relation to vulnerability as understood by nurses

A concept analysis of shame in the field of nursing

AIM

The study aimed to conceptually define "shame" within the field of nursing.

BACKGROUND

Many nurses sometimes experience and struggle with shame in their professional lives. It reduces their sense of self-worth and hampers emotional well-being and efficacy at work.

DESIGN

The conceptual analysis was performed using Walker and Avant's method.

DATA SOURCES

We searched using Academic Search Complete, CINAHL, PsycINFO, MEDLINE, and Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection databases for literature published between 1980 and 2020.

REVIEW METHODS

We searched for keywords "shame," "nurse," and "nursing," with the condition that the keywords must be included in the title or abstract.

RESULTS

Shame in the nursing field was defined as a negative emotion, an experience of self-blame and anger, an emotion accompanied by social anxiety, loneliness, and influenced by society and culture. Shame in the nursing field has three antecedents: negative evaluation, the involvement of others, and social and affiliated-group norms. Consequences of shame in nursing include decreased senses of self-esteem and self-efficacy, escape through defense mechanisms, depressive states, and alleviation of distress through reaffirmation of self-promotion and reflection leading to personal growth.

CONCLUSIONS

We clarified the significance of self, others, others' evaluations, and differences in socio-cultural contexts while defining shame.

Elderly caregivers of the elderly: frailty, loneliness and depressive symptoms

ABSTRACT Objective: to investigate the association between frailty, loneliness and depressive symptoms of elderly caregivers. Method: a cross - sectional study carried out with 341 elderly caregivers enrolled in Family Health Units of a city in the countryside of São Paulo State. The interviews were domiciliary and included questionnaire for characterization of the caregiver, Fried’s frailty phenotype, family APGAR (family functionality), Geriatric Depression Scale (depressive symptoms) and item 3 of the Herth Hope Scale (loneliness). Logistic regression was used to analyze the association between depressive symptoms and solitude (independent variables), and frailty and pre-frailty (dependent variables). Results: there was an association between frailty, loneliness and depressive symptoms. Elderly caregivers had increased odds of 158% presenting pre-frailty, and 360% of frailty. Elderly caregivers with depressive symptoms had an increased chance of 242% of presenting fragility. Conclusion: elderly and lonely caregivers with depressive symptoms are more likely to be frail and pre-frail.